Healing process

Turning lemons into lemonade? Quarterback Sean Schroeder is making the most of his journey from back surgery to comeback. He studies videos, chats up quarterback counsel Jordan Wynn, and helps coordinate unsupervised workouts despite being on modified-activity status. UH coach Norm Chow has praised Schroeder's approach, even as Taylor Graham, Jeremy Higgins and Ikaika Woolsey share the reps during Schroeder's rehab.

"Everybody is trying to do their part," Schroeder said. "We're trying to improve from last season."

Schroeder started 11 of 12 games in his first UH season in 2012. He played and never complained despite absorbing more than 120 hits that might have contributed to his lower-back injury. He underwent surgery on April 1.

"It's part of sports," Schroeder said. "I've been lucky to not have major injuries to this point. It's something you have to deal with in sports. I'm a lucky person to be here in Hawaii and be part of this team."

The timetable for a full recovery is a blurred line. "You don't want to do something stupid right now to push the envelope and have a setback," Schroeder said. "I'm listening to doctors' orders, which is tough at times. As soon as they tell me to do more things, I'll do it, and progress that way."

Last week, Schroeder was cleared to perform more strenuous physical therapy. He said new strength/conditioning coordinator Gary Beemer has created a workout program for "keeping me in shape and taking some stress off my lower back. That's been good. Im starting to do more things. It's a process and I'm working through it."